Energy Group Hails Ojulari As AKK Pipeline Nears Completion

The Energy Reforms Monitoring Initiative Africa has commended the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Bashir Ojulari, for his leadership in driving the completion of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline.

The group said the project, reportedly 95 per cent complete, could improve energy access, support businesses and stimulate economic activities across Northern Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the initiative’s Executive Director, Dr Patrick Kwame, described the pipeline as a critical national infrastructure capable of translating Nigeria’s natural gas resources into tangible economic benefits for citizens.

Kwame said the plan to commence gas delivery to Abuja before the end of 2026, followed by Kaduna and Kano in 2027, demonstrated a commitment to moving beyond project announcements to actual delivery.

He said the project’s success should be measured by its impact on electricity generation, industrial production and household energy access.

“Major infrastructure projects are ultimately judged by their impact on people’s lives, not simply by the amount of money invested or the length of pipelines constructed.

“The AKK project has the potential to change how businesses operate, how electricity is generated and how households access energy. We commend Mr Bayo Ojulari for maintaining the focus required to bring this important national investment closer to completion,” the statement said.

The group noted that reliable gas supply could improve power generation, support manufacturing, attract investments in industrial facilities and create employment opportunities.

It added that expanding the pipeline’s distribution network could extend its benefits beyond major cities and industrial centres to more communities and commercial locations.

The initiative also said improved gas infrastructure could support the expansion of compressed natural gas (CNG), providing transport operators with alternatives to petrol and diesel.

According to Kwame, the project’s benefits to ordinary Nigerians would include more reliable electricity, reduced energy costs for businesses, employment opportunities and wider energy choices.

He said lower energy costs could enable manufacturers to operate more efficiently, with positive effects on workers, suppliers and consumers.

The group further highlighted the pipeline’s potential to strengthen energy security in Northern Nigeria by reducing the dependence of industrial and power facilities in the region on gas transported over longer distances from the South.

The 614-kilometre AKK pipeline is a 40-inch gas transmission system designed to transport natural gas from Ajaokuta in Kogi State through Abuja and Kaduna to Kano, connecting major economic and industrial centres along its route.

The initiative also welcomed NNPC’s reported $1.5 billion financing secured against projected pipeline throughput, describing it as evidence of the potential of commercially viable infrastructure to attract investment.

However, it stressed that completing the main pipeline must be followed by the development of distribution networks and facilities required to deliver gas to end-users.

It urged NNPC to sustain its commitment to project execution, transparency and accountability to ensure that businesses and communities benefit from the infrastructure.

“The remaining work must receive the same level of attention and urgency that has brought the project to its present stage.

“A completed transmission pipeline must translate into actual gas supply for power plants, factories and other users,” the statement added.

The group called on government institutions, investors and industry stakeholders to support the project’s completion and the development of additional connections to underserved communities.